Tampa Bay Bucs

September 11, 1986|By Jerry Greene of The Sentinel Staff

THIS WEEK: The Bucs (0-1) play host to the Minnesota Vikings (0-1) in the first NFC Central Division game for the Bucs and second for the Vikes, who lost to Detroit last week, 13-10. Vikes are favored by 2. . . . Both coaching staffs should be fascinated by the films from Sunday's games. The Vikings, who believe in a ball-control passing game, will see how San Francisco's Joe Montana picked apart the Bucs' young defense for 345 yards passing and a total of 453. And the Bucs staff, who have James Wilder to carry the ball, will see how the Lions used James Jones to lead a 224-yard rushing game. ''Detroit had some success rushing against the Vikings, and we will strive to do the same,'' Bucs Coach Leeman Bennett said. ''I think we have a good run-blocking offensve line and a workhorse runner in James Wilder. We need to make that more of a focal point for our offense.''

WHAT'S HAPPENING: The Vikes hold an 11-5 edge on Bucs, including 6-2 in Tampa Stadium. Vikings won both meetings last year with turnovers being crucial. Minnesota scored on an intercepted pass and got another TD after blocking a punt in 31-16 victory. Late in the year six turnovers and 10 penalties by the Bucs, plus 309 yards passing by Minnesota's Tommy Kramer, led to a 26-7 Vikings victory. . . . Wilder traditionally has done well against the Vikings. In nine games he has 749 yards (4.6 yards per carry) for an average of 83.2 yards per game. He also had the biggest rushing day in Bucs history and biggest in the NFL since 1977 when he rushed for 219 yards against the Vikings on Nov. 6, 1983.

COMING UP: Watch for theBucs' use of tight end Jerry Bell. His play against 49ers was limited to special teams as Calvin Magee worked as the second tight end with Jimmie Giles. Bucs say Magee is better receiver, but Bell thought this was the year he would challenge Giles for No. 1 instead of losing No. 2 to Magee.